Strong Comforter

One of the names for the Holy Spirit is "the Comforter." The name comes from the Greek word, parakletos, which speaks of being "called alongside" with the purpose of help. From this idea of assistance, we've moved to a word that sounds more like a "sympathizer," or a warm blanket. That's not exactly the same, is it? 

Now don't get me wrong. God wants to encourage and shelter and console his people in this life. But if the Holy Spirit is just a warm fuzzy presence saying "there, there," I'm not sure that really helps.

But that is not what the title "Comforter" means. As R. C. Sproul noted as he taught and wrote on this subject, when parakletos was being translated into English back in the 1600s, they wanted to use a word that meant "to come along side with needed strength or aid." They chose the word "comforter" because, back then, it meant that. It was from two Latin words, cum, which means "with" and fortis which means strength (the musical term "forte" is from this word). The emphasis is not on feeling better, but on being provided needed strength or help. In fact, the ESV uses "Helper" instead of "Comforter" for this very reason. Languages evolve over time, and with the word "Comforter" we went from powerful aid to a down quilt.

Interestingly, the same Greek term (parakletos), when used of Jesus in 1 John 2, is translated "Advocate," a term used for a lawyer--that is certainly one form of aid we can understand.

So, when you think about the Holy Spirit, don't think of a spiritual "warm blanket." Instead, consider him to be the person of the Trinity who gives you, by his presence with you, all the strength and power you need for godliness.

Different Realities

Friends from Ukraine write, “Hey, are people paying attention? Russia is invading us—sending thousands to fight alongside separatists and arming them.”

I haven’t had the heart to say, “No we really aren’t paying attention. You are probably on your own.”

Friends in the Middle East ask, “Are people at home up in arms about what ISIS is doing to tens of thousands of people here? Syria is in chaos, Iraq is falling apart, and the only things growing are refugee camps!”

I respond, “Well, we got mad when they killed a journalist, but that’s about it.”

Friends from south Asia inquire about ways that the nation has responded to the death of an American general in Afghanistan, or the murder of Christian aid workers. “Have there been memorials and prayer vigils? What did the President say about the general?

I answer, “Not really, and not much.”

White friends ask when everyone will get tired of all this pseudo racist stuff surrounding a thug who beat up a cop and then got shot. Black friends ask when whites will wake up to the systemic racism that permeates our society’s power structures.

I don’t have an answer.

I imagine all of these inquirers getting together, and asking rather pointedly, “then what in the world do people you know care about right now?”

That I can answer. “Well, a lot of them are dumping buckets of water over their heads and making a video about it to post on Facebook—it’s for ALS awareness. LeBron is coming back to Cleveland. The NFL and college football seasons are starting up. And the new season of most TV shows is about to begin.”

They have nothing to say.

And then I ask myself "what can I/we/our nation/concerned observers do to change all of these things?"

There is only one step I can come up with, but it is the best I could give.

I can pray. And so can you.

The question we may not want to hear next--"So, did you?"

Just a Bucket of Water...The ALS Challenge and its Detractors

These are the moments as a pastor when I would just as soon not know what all of you are doing on Facebook. I'm watching my FB home feed fill up with people "small and great" as this Sunday's text in Revelation says, dumping containers of various sizes over their heads filled with water--though it's called the "Ice Bucket Challenge," it seems to be cold water in most cases. The reason is that someone else did it and challenged them to follow through, either doing this or donating to research for ALS--a terminal, debilitating disease that has no cure. It raises awareness of this disease, and according to the ALS Association, it has caused their donations to climb to six times what was received last year.  It looks like...well, "fun" doesn't really apply, but it is being done in a good spirit.

Until...we have a number of people point out that the ALS Association funds research using embryonic stem cells. Dr. Georgia Purdom of AIG blogged here about it, and printed a statement by the ALSA that said they have limited embryonic stem cell projects, but that they might, under certain conditions, have more. They also said one's donations can be specified away from such research. But is that just allowing other funds to continue such research? Do we want babies created in test tubes and then destroyed so that their cells can be used to try and find a cure for other human beings?

So should we participate and forget it, object and criticize it, or do what one pastor friend did, and participate but add a caveat about being careful where you donate? Is this a time to demonstrate concern or discernment? Do I join in the social media fun and frenzy, or stand up as a Christian killjoy who can find the cloud in every silver lining?

If awareness is all that was raised, no one would care. And technically, if you accept the challenge and douse yourself, you have avoided having to make the donation--that's what everyone who gives the whole challenge says, "I've been challenged, and now I'm challenging my friend Stan and if you don't do it you have to give $100 to ALS research." But donations are "pouring" in, so it's not just awareness. I do wonder how many of the wet awareness raisers I've seen are donating money though.

I also wonder how much of this is a combination of motives. Some of my FB friends seem to like any occasion to star in any video. Many are enjoying being called out and calling others out to do this, like a giant, viral, dare. Some have been personally touched by the ravages of ALS on friends or family--and it is a scary and insidious disease.

So, what should you do? Here's how I would respond. 
1. This is the equivalent of a social media chain letter, or one of those posts that says, "I love Jesus. Repost if you do, too." Or even worse, "If you are really my friend, comment with a word that you think of when you think of me." I am always (confession time here) so tempted to post, "NEEDY!"  I hated chain letters back in the day, and I hate this kind of manipulation. I almost get the impression that some are desperate to participate to fit in or raise awareness of their own creativity. That is obviously not true for many, but this is a mixed motive moment.

2. ALS  should be thought about and fought against. So should all sorts of physical manifestations of the curse of sin upon this world.

3. Christians ought not to check their moral concerns at the door when evaluating research associations. Birth defects deserved medical research, but the "March of Dimes" campaign against them lost the support of many through their promotion of abortion as a means to avoid such defects. Children should be educated, but UNICEF spends money on international programs I find abhorrent. 

4. If you say you are "raising awareness" of ALS and not giving money to fight it, you are just starring in your own video. If you dumped water over your head, dry off and go make a donation. BUT, either find a place to donate in line with your convictions, or specify where your donation to the ALS Association goes (Read their statement about this here). If enough donors make the point that we won't kill some humans to save others, perhaps the point will be made.

5. Make all decisions about your charitable giving based on principles, priorities, and values from God's word. Think about them, pray for God's guidance, and do what you believe God wants done with his resources. For many of us, though not all, we should cultivate the impulse to give, rather than stifle it.

Living in The World We Don't Want

Having returned last week from a great vacation (which includes strictly limiting news media, social media, and email), I find I've returned to a world that I don't want to live in. Consider:

Christian homes marked for attack in Mosul, Iraq. The
Arabic "n" marking stands for Nazarene, a pejorative name
for Christians.

Days are stretching into weeks where a radical Muslim group (ISIS) is killing Muslim "heretics," crucifying Christian converts in Syria, killing and persecuting Christians in Iraq, and performing ethnic and religious "cleansing" that is more public and visible than the early stages of the Holocaust. All those nations that swore "never again" are now simply saying, "again?"

Rockets launched at Israel from Gaza by Hamas

Meanwhile the national descendants of Holocaust survivors in Israel have faced renewed anti-Semitism in Europe and international condemnation for military action in Gaza, which has been launching missiles toward Israeli citizens for years, and still refuses to stop. With Gaza in ruins, Israel halted military incursions, and what happened? Gaza launched more missiles. The typical response in the news? ISRAEL LAUNCHES NEW STRIKES, and only later in the report, "in response to 70 missiles launched by Hamas in Gaza." Hamas is committed to war until Israel is destroyed, and yet we call on Israel to show restraint, just like we would if Cuba was continually shelling Florida.

Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine

Russian aggression against Ukraine is roundly condemned, as was its aggression against Georgia a few years ago, but when Russian weapons in the hands of Russian puppets in Ukraine shoot down a passenger jet with hundreds of lives lost, no one does anything...just like the good old days of the Cold War when the Soviet Union shot down a passenger plane with hundreds aboard and no one did anything. Russia is on the verge of annexing more of Ukraine and possibly invading. But suggesting that we are back in a new Cold War is considered foolish.

And don't even take time to think about domestic issues: border problems, shooting of unarmed civilians in Missouri and Ohio, and a government that passes laws, only to ignore them or delay implementation because they will create political cost and economic pain.

The breathtaking pace at which our culture has embraced and prized relational choices the Bible says  are sin (unfaithfulness to marriage vows, divorce, wholesale rejection of marriage by many couples in favor of cohabitation, and acceptance of same sex marriage) is yesterday's news. As mentioned in Romans 1, people now are not just doing wrong, but celebrating when they get others to join in.

Meanwhile, Christians who feed the poor and place orphans in homes are bad when they follow their consciences and the clear teaching of scripture, refusing to recognize same sex marriage or to offer insurance that pays for abortion of infants in the womb. Of course, these Christians, and all Christians through the history of the Church, are holding views and values that civilized societies have, until the last one hundred years held as well.

Dr. Kent Brantly, missionary doctor being treated for
Ebola, has been labeled "narcissistic" and guilty of
idiocy for going to Liberia instead of working in the US.

And for all who make the terrible mistake of linking political conservatism with biblical Christianity, the statements of Ann Coulter (and a few others who made similar comments) that a Christian doctor who contracted the Ebola virus while serving in Liberia was "narcissistic" and his current medical condition was "idiocy" show that even our supposed "friends" in this world don't really get what good is.

Perhaps these events may be the tipping point for those who have been so convinced that "American exceptionalism" was true and we were a nation in character unlike any other. True, our history has evidenced many blessings from God--but blessings are by definition undeserved. They are grace--either common or special, but grace nonetheless.

Perhaps circumstances will finally disabuse those naive Christians who think we will bring the kingdom of God's power, ethics, and circumstances to earth by our good works--reversing the curse by our kindness.

Perhaps, but I doubt it. But this is a moment for repentance, and for courage. We repent, because it seems that only extraordinary evil awakens us to the evil around us, when in fact evil has been our constant companion. We repent because we Christians in America have lived as if suffering and tribulation were exceptions for Christians, and not the rule, and we have allowed the vigor of our faith to diminish accordingly. We have forgotten that Jesus told us, "in the world you will have tribulation.," not that it will only come after you've gone.

But it is also a time for courage. How? Because in that same passage, Jesus said, "in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart (take courage, be encouraged), because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Note that we don't jump up and down for joy at tribulation, but we recognize it is not the final destination or experience for those who know Jesus. He sometimes protects from evil, sometimes delivers through it, but always promises that his victory is our confidence. Evil did not stop him from redeeming his own, and evil will not stop his people from inheriting eternal life. And so we are to have courage--be brave and bold, though we don't have any strength or power of our own. It is courage anchored in Jesus' death and resurrection, and it will be needed for many in the days ahead, because tribulation is our current "promise." But Peter says it is "for a time" that we are tried. Paul says it is "momentary" and "light" in terms of comparing it to the weight of the glory and good that is coming. But it is real.

Don't freak out at how bad things are. Some of our brothers and sisters are wondering how we've missed how bad it has been for a long time for them. Don't wring your hands, although you can and should be moved with compassion. Pray for the needs and suffering you see. Pray that God will strengthen those going through the fire right now. Do what you can--give if there is a need you can meet and a way to meet it. But as the fire and destruction and collapse of  "Christian culture" continues, pray for yourself, that your faith will not fail. Pray the same for others. Dig into the Word. Find other believers with whom you can pray and study and prepare. Hold on to truth, and tell it even if it is unpopular. Speak it clearly, humbly, and in love. The Church is always to have a place in public life, even if it is to be ridiculed for views and beliefs that are unpopular.

This world is not a place we would, or should, want right now. But the day is coming when, after judgment falls, Jesus will make all things new. Keep your eyes and heart fixed on that hope, and the present distress will not overwhelm you.

Language Propaganda

George Orwell's classic novel, 1984, predicted a world in which, among other things, language would become a means of the government to shape thinking--a propaganda tool. Thus, the very active military was controlled by the Ministry of Peace. The department that created dependence through economic shortages was called the Ministry of Plenty.

Orwell's idea was already being used in the Soviet Union at the time he wrote, and has since been adopted by all sorts of political causes. No one describes themselves as  pro-infanticide or pro-abortion, only "pro-choice." And if you support the recent Hobby Lobby decision, you are "against birth control," instead of objecting to one particularly gruesome and deadly (to the fetus) form of it. The way in which this decision has been framed in the media and by politicians who promote abortion has been so one-sided that most Americans have no idea what is really involved, nor of the ramifications of the recent executive order by the President to force all who have contractual relationship with the government to offer abortion coverage in their healthcare plans.

Those who wish to redefine for all the concept of marriage have embraced the term "marriage equality." However, "marriage" has had a universally understood meaning, and this "equality" asks to redefine something that all cultures and times have understood to be one thing, in favor of a new contemporary understanding. Marriage has always been between the two sexes, not the joining of two people of the same sex. This redefinition of a core human concept is breathtaking to say the least. And it is meant to imply that those who do not agree favor "inequality"--a near universally bad concept in our society, like slavery.

Let's assume, for sake of argument, that a group of people who loved the color red were angered and upset that their favorite color's name was associated with embarrassment (red-faced), crime (caught red-handed), and cultural backwardness (redneck). They decide that it is patently unfair that this is the case, whereas that other color, blue is favored by more people,and associated with being refined (blue blood), noble character (true blue) and great music (the blues). So they decide that blue should share its name with red. These folks start calling for "blue equality." No one color deserves to be thought of as special and deserving of higher status. No, we must call blue, blue; we must call red, blue; and any other color desirous of such recognition should be called "blue" for the sake of equality for all lovers of all colors.

Marriage is not just two people deciding to live together and share everything. Dating is not marriage. Roommates are not married. Cohabitation is not marriage. Marriage, as seen in creation's initial union of male and female, in the clear witness of Scripture, and the concurrent witness of history and culture throughout the world  is a man leaving father and mother, being joined to his wife, and the two becoming one flesh--a new "whole" that includes physical intimacy. The joining is a covenant, the breaking of which is most serious. Adultery has always been seen as "immoral," and while some societies have favored (or at least tolerated) polygamy, same sex unions have never been called "marriage." This kind of redefinition is like calling up, "down," or as in our example, calling red "blue." You can do it, but you rob the word of any meaning.

I suppose that we should not be surprised that people want to redefine reality. Those who follow their same sex inclinations, or embrace the choice of aborting infants have already decided that what the created world shows them, what historic taboos have reinforced, and what the Bible clearly teaches (at this point in agreement with all major world religions), is not enough to govern or overrule one's passions. "What I feel or desire deeply, powerfully, and passionately" trumps "what is true, historically demonstrable, and natural (in the purest sense of that term)." Having decided that one's passions equal one's identity (another spurious construct), and that one's passions thus become the standard of right, good, and true, the redefinition of historic concepts becomes a relatively minor step to take.

For society, this is one more downward step. No surprise in a fallen world where, for all of our talk of the "j curve" of information growth, we get more stupid and silly as sin takes deeper root. For Christians, it will be one more reason we will need grace and strength from God to speak truth that will generally become more inconvenient, unacceptable, and scarce. And our speaking must itself continue (perhaps for some, begin) to be gracious, even as those opposed to our message use ever more inflammatory descriptions of dangers of our views.

Why I Support Israel, Care About Palestinians, and Don't Trust the Media

The current Israeli military action to neutralize the ability of Hamas to launch rockets at Israel is the subject of news, comment, Facebook posts, demonstrations worldwide, and a rise of public anti-Semitism in Europe. Civilians are dying along with combatants. No one expects the current conflict to yield a permanent solution.

And many Christians who comment are guilty of sloppy thinking.

The following all make me crazy:

1. When Christians blindly assert that Israel's right to the Holy Land makes all of their actions "blessed" and worthy of Christian support. 
2. When Christians treat the conflict as a matter of equal actions and reactions and moral equivalence. They refer to "both sides" needing to step back and "negotiate" and act as if there are no "good guys" and "bad guys" in the situation.
3. When anyone accepts the mainstream media's reporting as accurate of the situation that is occurring.

Let me unpack my thoughts, and how I believe we ought to approach this matter.

1. Americans should see Israel as a strategic and natural ally. This is a solely political calculus. Of all the countries in the region, Israel is the only stable, western-style democracy that embraces western cultural values related to personal liberties, freedom of religion, free expression of opinions, and treatment of people based on a high view of human life. Israel is not perfect, but neither is the U.S. And only Israel has shown the ability to actually win a conflict in the region. If we have to choose up sides in the world, I want Israel on my team.

2. Christians may differ on eschatology, but they should not miss the truth that the Jewish people are God's "elect" people in one very specific sense. Romans 11 says this is the case because of the promises to the patriarchs. Further, while most Jewish people do not yet believe that Jesus is their messiah, there is coming a day when, as a people, they will do so as a demonstration of God's faithfulness to his promises. Only the most obtuse reading of Romans 11 would fail to grasp that ethnic Israel has a promised revival of faith that is coming. Therefore, to love the Jewish people, even in their unbelief, is to love a people that are loved as a people by God.

3. Christians should not see the current state of Israel as guaranteed a future until the return of Christ, or the government of Israel as always "doing the will of God." While I believe that Israel's current existence coincides with circumstances that will be present in the end times of Revelation, I cannot be positive that they may not be scattered again if the Lord Jesus delays his return for centuries. I believe that there will be a definable Jewish people in the land preceding the Lord's return. I think (but cannot be sure) that the current state may be the precursor to that future. That said, Israel is in the land in unbelief, not submissive to the will of God and in rebellion to his plan of salvation. And in such a state, Israel's government is capable of great evil, just as all human governments are.

4. Americans in general, and many Christians, seem not to understand the nature of the current conflict. Israel wants peace with Palestinians, and has provided land and other concessions as incentives. Hamas (which controls Gaza) wants Israel wiped out of existence, and will not negotiate peace--ever. And the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank wants Israel to surrender all lands conquered in the war of 1967; borders that would make Israel very difficult to defend. In both the PA and Gaza children are taught from texts that teach hatred for Jews. How does a nation live next door to a people that want it dead? As one commentator has said, "If the Palestinians laid down their arms, there would be peace between Israel and a Palestinian state. If the Israelis laid down their arms, there would be no Israel and only a Palestinian state."

5. Palestinians are not monolithic, and certainly are not all "evil." Not all of them support Hamas. Some actually favor peace with Israel. And there are Christian believers among them, even in Gaza. Churches there are housing refugees while being hated by their own government (Hamas). If you had grown up as a Christian Palestinian in Gaza, you might not have much reason to love Israel, even if you don't desire their destruction. We can and should care about the situation of our Christian family there. But that is not the same as supporting the cause of Hamas, or seeing it as "equivalent" to Israel's cause. Think of it this way. In World War 2, there were Christian Germans who may not have supported Hitler, but served their country in the armed forces. They were our brothers and sisters, and yet their fighting for their country did not mean American Christians should not fight against Germany in World War 2, or that we should somehow have seen the German cause as being just a different take on world affairs. Their policies and their invasions were evil. Hamas is evil, and their actions are evil. While Israel is not perfect, they have as much right to exist as any other nation (they at least were created by U.N. vote and not simply by rebellion as the U.S.A. was) and to defend themselves against attack. Hamas has declared that as long as they are alive they will fight to destroy Israel. They use civilians, schools, and hospitals as bases for their rockets and their tunnel systems. 

6. Press reports reflect all the errors mentioned above, and are meant to generate controversy, readership (or viewership) and revenue for their owners. Their general bias is against Israel, fearful of insulting Islam, and unwilling to appear as if the actions of a terrorist group (Hamas) might be worse than those of a state that has had to defend itself against rocket attacks launched from primary schools (Israel). And no one seems to report that Israel continues to take Gaza's civilian patients in need of emergency medical care, or continues to supply electricity, water, food, medical supplies to Gaza, and much of its water, even while Egypt does not. I have been in Israel many times when events have taken place that the are reported with breathless urgency by the media, as if they were huge and influential. I've actually seen "staged stonethrowing" where the media was invited to report on a Palestinian demonstration. The cameras rolled, some teenagers shouted and threw stones, the cameras stopped, and the teens left. Most people are unaware that about 75,000 tourists are moving all around Israel without incident or disturbance. 

In short, I love my Christian brothers and sisters in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza more than I care about any other individuals in this situation. I pray for their protection and for peace that would be to their benefit and the furtherance of the Gospel.

But I also recognize Israel's right to exist. I believe in the special place of Jewish people in God's election and purposes. I must acknowledge the evil that is embodied in Islamic teaching generally (from its corruption of Old Testament history and its denial of Jesus' full deity, to the concept of jihad and the intolerance it fosters throughout much of the world) and in the Hamas "brand" of Islam specifically.

Nazis would  not be appeased. Hamas will not be appeased. In a world where no government is perfect or righteous, there is nevertheless the right of governments and nations to act against evil that is directed at their own people. And so I hope that Israel prevails, Hamas is defeated, and out of that defeat a more humane and secular government might come. But looking at the region and the inability of Islam to foster such governments and cultures (quick, what Islamic country can you think of where women have equal rights with men and are not treated as property, where minorities live in relative peace and safety, where criticism of the government is freely allowed without repercussion, and violence is not considered an appropriate way to settle personal vendettas?), I have little hope of this.

Israel has perpetrated injustices in the past, and will do so in the future; as will other countries. For example, they have failed to protect Christians in their midst, and made it hard for Jewish believers in Jesus to become Israeli citizens, although they allow every other kind of Jew--agnostic, Buddhist, atheist, New Age--automatic citizenship. They should be criticized when they do injustice. This military action, however imbalanced it may appear (given Israel's military superiority), is not an injustice, but seeks to address an evil that needs to be stopped.

Inspiring, Intriguing, and Unnerving Links

I am an avid student and reader about many subjects, and one of the joys of the internet age is the availability of various stories, articles, and tools that allow me to learn, to be inspired, and sometimes to be challenged and made a bit uncomfortable, all through excellent stories and writing. Here are some links to some matters I have found interesting, and two programs/apps that have increased my opportunities to listen.

Inspiring Story...
Sixty Nine Days, by Hector Tobar appeared in The New Yorker magazine and is the true story of the Chilean miners who survived underground over two months after a massive cave in. The story was powerful at the time (2010), but having it told through the voices of the men involved is even more so. You will be impressed by the role Christian faith played, and how the experience revealed the positive and negative extremes of human reaction.

Middle East Mess Made Clearer...
This video by Dennis Prager is a concise look at the Middle East problem from an historic perspective. Prager simplifies, but not in a way that interferes with understanding. There are certainly wrongs done by Israel, as well as the Palestinians, but the political dilemma is pretty straight forward. View the following video and see.




Summer "reading" with New Audiobook resources...
This summer, Kathy and I have been enjoying our reading, and also enjoying audiobooks on our long car drives. What has made this even better has been learning of two programs available through our local library where we can borrow audiobooks, ebooks, and even movies and TV series if we want.

The first program is "hoopla," and it has apps and programs that allow you, in partnership with your local library, to "borrow" audiobooks, music, and videos. They have quite a wide variety, and you can stream or download.

The second is Overdrive, and it offers a large selection of ebooks and audiobooks, but limited numbers of copies of items, where hoopla has unlimited copies of what it offers. We have found some titles on one service that are not on the other. Overdrive requires you to sign up for an Adobe account when you begin service.

Both require you to have a library card number, and that your library be in partnership with the program.

Two great books on love and marriage...
Speaking of reading, I've read two great books related to love, and especially to love in God's economy. Paul Miller has become one of the authors I've greatly appreciated for his insights and applicational teaching. He has followed up a personal favorite of mine, A Praying Life, with a new book about God's love seen in the life story of Ruth in A Loving Life. This book challenged, convicted and encouraged me, and it will you, too.

The second is about love and marriage, by another of my favorite authors, Tim Keller. Along with his wife, Kathy, he has written The Meaning of Marriage, and it is one of the best surveys of material about on Christian marriage--for anyone from those who are considering marriage, to those who are fearful of it, to those who may be finding it much harder than they bargained for. You will benefit from reading this book, no matter your marital status.

Some thoughts on children crossing the U.S. Border
I have made no secret of my concern for immigration reform, and my desire to see a plan that takes care of the millions of undocumented people here as well as the problem of border security. The issue has blown up recently due to thousands of children who are crossing the southern border without parents or guardians from central America. What do we do? My friend, David Hegg, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California, has offered a well-thought answer here.

Here's a review of a new book I may need to read pretty soon, but some of you better read now!
It's the newest book by J. I. Packer, and it sounds pretty inspiring. The book is titled Finishing Our Course with Joy: Guidance from God for Engaging with Our Aging. The review that tipped me off, and makes me think will be good is found at Desiring God's website here. Of course, J. I. Packer has been a favorite since his book, Knowing God, was used by God to change my way of thinking in my late teens. Packer, at the age of 88, insists that the Christian must not buy into the world's perspective on retirement--calling it "worldliness" and "folly." Read the review, and then you might decide to get the book!

Making sense of crazy days...
If you know me well, you know that I have strong opinions about political matters, leadership, and cultural morality (if I hear another person say "you cannot legislate morality" I may just call that person the dunce that they are--ANY law passed about human behavior is a legislating of morality!). I have watched national and international developments with amazement and, when I am not thinking rightly, dismay. But I am getting better at reminding myself that the ills and sins of this world are what we should expect, and God is using them for his purposes, even when I find them infuriating. May you have peace in your heart, even as our world has none.